The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully reintegrated the final Airbus A321 aircraft into service for the Netra MkII airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) program, marking a critical milestone. This completion follows the extensive structural retrofit and modification of six ex-Air India A321 jets, undertaken in collaboration with Airbus and Indian defence firms. The Netra MkII, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in July 2025 and valued at approximately ₹19,000 crore, features indigenous AESA radars housed in a dorsal fin, providing 360-degree surveillance with enhanced detection ranges beyond 500 km. These aircraft will significantly boost India’s airborne surveillance, threat detection, and command capabilities against challenges from neighbouring China and Pakistan. The project aims to complete full operational deployment by late this decade, giving the IAF a cutting-edge, network-centric air defence platform tailored for India’s evolving geopolitical security environment. The fleet’s readiness highlights India’s strategic push for indigenous advanced defence technologies.